Dare I, or dare not?
Water calls me, calls my name.
I jump! Splash! Answer!
In what is a ‘first’ for a National Purebred Dog Day Photo Challenge, we are delighted to introduce an ekphrastic poetry contest theme. In English, this is a Photo Poetry Challenge in which you are tasked to create a limerick or haiku inspired by your photograph (or the other way around).
Anonymous Dog Lover has provided us an example of a haiku at the top to go with the photo, and now it’s your turn.
The challenge: Whether you write the verse to match the photo, or take a photo to match your verse, your haiku or limerick and photo should “mesh.”
Note: In a haiku, the first line contains five syllables, the second line has seven, and the third line has five again.
A limerick is typically humorous: Lines 1, 2, and 5 rhyme with each other. Lines 3 and 4 rhyme with each other but not with the others. Example:
An elderly man called Keith,
Mislaid his set of false teeth.
They’d been laid on a chair,
He’d forgot they were there,
Sat down, and was bitten beneath.
The Dreaded Small Print You Must Read To Enter
•••• This contest happens on May 1 on our Facebook page. It is open to US and Canadian residents only;
•••• One entry per person; You may enter four different photo challenges,
•••• When submitting your photo entry on Facebook, you must indicate the name of this contest, “Double Trouble” Photo Challenge;
•••• Your entry must be for the 2025 contest. Photos submitted from previous years’ contests will be disqualified, and yes, we remember photos from one year to the next;
•••• Within the photo, your image must include a purebred dog and one of the following either downloaded from the link or handmade:
The “Happy National Purebred D♥g Day” sign
The “I L♥ve My Purebred Dog” sign
Any official National Purebred Dog Day item available here.
•••• No photoshopping, and no photoshopping the required sign over your photo entry. Be creative with how you use it, but our judges, David Frei, co-host of NBC’s National Dog Show, and veteran Westminster Kennel Club photographer, Jack Grassa, must see what you actually shot with your camera;
•••• Many people may help you take your photo, but the prize goes to the person submitting the winning photograph;
•••• Entering this contest implies consent that your photo may be shared on NPDD’s social media platforms;
•••• A full explanation of how, when, and where to submit your entry can be read here;
•••• Important! You and your dog should have safe fun when composing your entry!
•••• Judges’ decisions are final
PhotoContest2025
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